"Thanatopsis" by William Cullen Bryant
Read "Thanotopsis" (p. 540) by William Cullen Bryant. "Thanatopsis" literally means a "meditation upon death." What is Bryant telling us about death? How is his idea of what happens to us after we die unique? What do you think of it?

"A Psalm of Life"
Read "A Psalm of Life" (p. 588) by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. What is his main point here? What lines strike you as particularly meaningful? And how can you apply this poem's message to your life?

Answer these questions and explore any other related ideas in a well developed paragraph. Including quotes from the poem to illustrate your points would be great. Remember you can build upon what others have said as well.

Thomas Paine - "The Age of Reason"
Please write a one paragraph (minimum) response to Paine's "The Age of Reason". You might use some of the following prompts as inspiration. Please also feel free to respond to comments others have made before you.

"Upon Wedlock and Death of Children"
Please take your best stab at explicating Taylor's poem "Upon Wedlock and Death of Children". Be sure to consult the footnotes in your book, use a dictionary if necessary, and build upon the comments others have posted too.

"Upon A Spider Catching a Fly"
After carefully reading Taylor's "Upon a Spider Catching a Fly", please provide your best explication of the poem. Be sure to consult the footnotes in your book, use a dictionary if necessary, and build on the comments others have posted too.